Monday, October 4, 2010

The Symbiosis Project was announced finalist in the categories Best Eco Design and Best Use of Technology at the Interior Motives Design Awards 2010.

The project aims to connect architecture and transportation into a self-sufficient system that generates and utilises green energy. It breaks down the accepted separation between domestic dwelling and vehicle and makes use of a conceived symbiotic relationship between them to create power for both the vehicle and the building, minimising the energy impact of both.

The vehicle and building, interfacing with each other as parts of a single urban environment, are subject to the same structural design thinking. Both are considered as multi-layered systems, integrating specific functions into every layer to make maximum use of passive technologies to generate green energy.

While the exterior collects energy from sunlight, the structural parts use artificially created airstreams to generate current. These artificial airstreams are created by a chimney effect inside the building, frequently pulling air through the vehicle and turning it into a small power plant that is parked outside the house. This way the system constantly generates green energy to power secondary functions in both vehicle and building.

Symbiosis is not just technically inspiring, it could challenge models of energy supply, taxation and ownership. Excess energy generated could be fed back into the public grid, benefiting the community and – potentially – remunerating the owner. Rethinking ownership models by conceptualising a car rented with a home and a payment model that applies only when the vehicle is in use, the driver could be released from the burdens of tax, insurance and maintenance in exchange for ecological benefits.

Rethinking ownership models and generating eco-friendly energy, the system benefits the user at the most fundamental levels of life: health, finance and convenience.